pick (plectrum) or fingers?
- Thread starter ginormous
- Start date
post toastie
New member
Re: pick (plectrum) or fingers?
i prefer fingers...in fact to go further, i think the thumb (plucks, not thumps) is best of all.
but i'm not coordinated enough with fingers or fast enough with only thumb to get it.
plus the blisters are ungodly. after 20 min. of playing with thumb or fingers my hand is in a sling for 3 weeks or more.
when recording, i try to schedule recording when i can get a good take with fingers.
live...i do what i have to do at the moment to get the job done. pick if necessary.
i prefer fingers...in fact to go further, i think the thumb (plucks, not thumps) is best of all.
but i'm not coordinated enough with fingers or fast enough with only thumb to get it.
plus the blisters are ungodly. after 20 min. of playing with thumb or fingers my hand is in a sling for 3 weeks or more.
when recording, i try to schedule recording when i can get a good take with fingers.
live...i do what i have to do at the moment to get the job done. pick if necessary.
Bass_Medic_05
Purveyor of Low End
Re: pick (plectrum) or fingers?
Both but generally finger style, I like a heavy pick when I use them :naughty:
Both but generally finger style, I like a heavy pick when I use them :naughty:
Snake Aces
Singlecut Slut
Re: pick (plectrum) or fingers?
I use my fingers 99% of the time. If I have to play White Wedding I'll use a pick, but I even use my fingers on songs like Guns of Brixton because it just feels right and sounds even better IMO. Like ginormous says though, it depends on the song
I use my fingers 99% of the time. If I have to play White Wedding I'll use a pick, but I even use my fingers on songs like Guns of Brixton because it just feels right and sounds even better IMO. Like ginormous says though, it depends on the song
dg27
New member
Re: pick (plectrum) or fingers?
Heavy pick.
I started on string bass and used to claim I left my bow at home so I could play pizzicato (fingers). When I switched to electric I tried fingers and all sorts of picks including those thick felt ones. Switched to heavy Fender picks decades ago and never looked back. And btw, the shell-colored ones sound MUCH better. : private:
Heavy pick.
I started on string bass and used to claim I left my bow at home so I could play pizzicato (fingers). When I switched to electric I tried fingers and all sorts of picks including those thick felt ones. Switched to heavy Fender picks decades ago and never looked back. And btw, the shell-colored ones sound MUCH better. : private:
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bruceasorensen
New member
Re: pick (plectrum) or fingers?
As a player who started when the Beatles started, McCartney was my roll model and I gravitated to the pick. Outside of about 3 years when I seriously worked at finger style I have pretty much been a "picker". When I do play finger style I usually play with index finger and the side of my thumb. I have been able to play most styles with the pick. Octaves are played using pick and middle or ring finger. Right hand palm muting is to me the easiest to control. McCartney, Carol Kaye, Joe Osborne, Sting....All master pickers.
As a player who started when the Beatles started, McCartney was my roll model and I gravitated to the pick. Outside of about 3 years when I seriously worked at finger style I have pretty much been a "picker". When I do play finger style I usually play with index finger and the side of my thumb. I have been able to play most styles with the pick. Octaves are played using pick and middle or ring finger. Right hand palm muting is to me the easiest to control. McCartney, Carol Kaye, Joe Osborne, Sting....All master pickers.
jacksontrader
New member
Re: pick (plectrum) or fingers?
Pick's. 1.00 mm & 1.14 mm thick pigs with a star shaped hole in the middle of them, so my meat hooks won't drop it. lol
Pick's. 1.00 mm & 1.14 mm thick pigs with a star shaped hole in the middle of them, so my meat hooks won't drop it. lol
threechordcharlie
RedTruckologist
Re: pick (plectrum) or fingers?
Whoops! Sorry G man. That's what I get for being gone so long. I didn't realize you had already done this.
Whoops! Sorry G man. That's what I get for being gone so long. I didn't realize you had already done this.
Re: pick (plectrum) or fingers?
Really, its more like you might achieve speed easier at low technique w/ pick, but nobody forbids you from using 2, 3, or 4 fingers (my pinky broke & set quite unevenly as a teen before ever picking up bass, wouldnt know about using all 5, got no power in it)....id seriously like to see a pick achieve the speed and thumpy ooomph possible when really punching strings with three or so fingers
And yeah dear parttimers PUNCHING, you dont strum past for power, you hit ON for power
Really, its more like you might achieve speed easier at low technique w/ pick, but nobody forbids you from using 2, 3, or 4 fingers (my pinky broke & set quite unevenly as a teen before ever picking up bass, wouldnt know about using all 5, got no power in it)....id seriously like to see a pick achieve the speed and thumpy ooomph possible when really punching strings with three or so fingers
And yeah dear parttimers PUNCHING, you dont strum past for power, you hit ON for power
threechordcharlie
RedTruckologist
Re: pick (plectrum) or fingers?
Two words:
Iron Maiden
Two words:
Iron Maiden
njstoehr
New member
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: pick (plectrum) or fingers?
+1. I've used fingers most of my life for bass. I can get a lot more speed with a pick, and it's a punchier sound, which fits some songs better. My first finger isn't much use for plucking strings, as that was messed up from a snake bite years ago...
+1. I've used fingers most of my life for bass. I can get a lot more speed with a pick, and it's a punchier sound, which fits some songs better. My first finger isn't much use for plucking strings, as that was messed up from a snake bite years ago...
rashayritto
Off-Topic Lurker
Re: pick (plectrum) or fingers?
I'm a guitarist who plays bass to fill out his recordings. I use a pick since I can't get consistent results with my fingers
I'm a guitarist who plays bass to fill out his recordings. I use a pick since I can't get consistent results with my fingers
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Johnny the Kid
Shaunofthedeadologist
Re: pick (plectrum) or fingers?
The difference is that Steve Harris is an anomaly. He uses flatwound strings, vintage hot pickups. Most of that aggressive tone could also be from the fact that he uses a trebled out amp. Seriously. Put the treble all the way up on you bass amp, and you'll sound aggressive as hell.
The difference is that Steve Harris is an anomaly. He uses flatwound strings, vintage hot pickups. Most of that aggressive tone could also be from the fact that he uses a trebled out amp. Seriously. Put the treble all the way up on you bass amp, and you'll sound aggressive as hell.
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Spookbass
New member
Re: pick (plectrum) or fingers?
Pick mostly, I prefer the attack you can get.
Playing Rock and Metal, I just think finger style doesn't cut it unless the amp has all the trebles and mids flat out, which is a sound I hate.
My preference is all the lows flat out, with a tiny bit of mid and treble, ( I want to make the ground shake), and without a pick it would sound
very muted.
If you want treble, or to play solos, get a guitar!
It would be a boring world if everyone did the same thing
Pick mostly, I prefer the attack you can get.
Playing Rock and Metal, I just think finger style doesn't cut it unless the amp has all the trebles and mids flat out, which is a sound I hate.
My preference is all the lows flat out, with a tiny bit of mid and treble, ( I want to make the ground shake), and without a pick it would sound
very muted.
If you want treble, or to play solos, get a guitar!
It would be a boring world if everyone did the same thing
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